One Inverness, Florida, woman has earned the title of “dog’s best friend” after she risked her own life to take on a hungry alligator.

Lori Beiswenger told WFTS-TV she was gardening when she heard “the most God-awful, piercing scream that I have ever heard in my life.” She turned to see Hope, her small dog in the jaws of a 7 1/2-foot alligator.